Page 30 of A Secret Baby By the Alpha

Because of everything. Colson, Jenny, the Dark Alphas blocking our path. Not to mention the fact that we don’t havemuch of a home to go to. It’s not like Jenny has a bright future, being relegated to the outskirts of pack society because of what I did,I said ruefully.

It was still the right thing to do,my wolf said gently.

Maybe,I hedged.But I still need some time to think about what to do next.

We’ll figure it out,Cassia agreed.

I arrived at the jewelry shop and headed inside. It was quaint, as most things were in this town, but there were a few people browsing the display cases. An older woman with bejeweled glasses dangling from a chain around her neck stood behind the register. She smiled at me as I came inside and greeted me warmly.

“Good afternoon,” she said. “Can I help you find anything?”

“I’m just looking for a gift for my daughter,” I told her.

“Let me know if you need any recommendations. We have some great pieces I’m sure she’ll love,” the woman replied cheerfully.

“Do you have any gold necklaces?” I asked.

She came out from behind the counter and walked toward a display case behind the picture window, indicating a section of dainty necklaces all made of gold.

“These are beautiful,” I told her.

“Anything in particular strike your eye?”

Many of the chains had pendants that seemed rather large for Jenny’s size, but there was one emblem dangling from a dainty golden chain that looked perfect. I pointed toward the rectangular charm, and the woman smiled.

“Excellent choice,” she said, pulling it from underneath the glass. “This one was an etching done by an artist in the region. She doesn’t usually work with metal, but I managed to snag this one before it went to auction.”

She passed it to me, and I admired the intricate details that had been fit onto such a small surface: a wolf, howling at a crescent moon. I could practically feel the power of the wolf inside the picture. It may be a bit literal, but for the occasion, I couldn’t think of anything more suitable. I hoped that when Jenny wore it, she would feel more connected with herself.

“It’s perfect. I’ll take it,” I said, passing it back to her.

The woman headed toward the register to ring it up and package it. I followed, lost in my own thoughts. It felt like yesterday when I had been a little girl and my own mother had given me a necklace of my own. My parents hadn’t been rich, but they had been loving and kind. Their bravery and willingness to help others had elevated them within the ranks of the pack, but it was also why they had died before Jenny was born. Life wasn’t always kind to warriors of the pack. Of all the regrets I had in life, my parents not having the chance to meet their granddaughter was one of the biggest.

After paying for my purchase, I left the store and turned toward Colson’s house, but a familiar face across the street made me stop in my tracks. Alpha Gage Desmond.

We made eye contact, and I could see that he had recognized me as well. With a tight-lipped smile, I nodded at him, hoping my expression came across as both nonconfrontational and dismissive. After our first two run-ins, he didn’t need any more cause to accost me.

I turned my head and continued my walk, but from the corner of my eye, I saw that my attempt to disappear had beenfoiled. He strode across the street and stood directly in my path, his arms folded as he looked at me with narrowed eyes.

“I’ve been wondering when I would run into you again,” he said.

“Alpha Desmond,” I said, bowing my head and attempting to appear demure enough that he would let me pass.

“You can cut your bullshit,” he said, his expression and tone oddly congenial for the content of his words. I looked around and realized he was putting on an act so as not to look suspicious to any passersby.

“I’m not sure what you mean,” I said.

“You and Colson think you have everyone fooled, but I know the truth about you two,” he continued. “You’re a spy for Sparkle Hollow.”

“I’m still not sure what you’re talking about,” I said, uncomfortable with the accusations he was making. Despite being untrue, they were also dangerous. If the rest of the alphas believed Desmond, we would be in serious trouble. “There is no conspiracy here.”

“You can lie all you want, but my pack knows that you two will eventually betray the rest of the alphas. I’m watching you,” he warned.

“It sounds like you’re projecting,” I snapped. “Colson is more loyal than anyone I’ve ever known. He doesn’t have it in him to turn his back on his pack or the alliances he’s made to keep them safe. In fact, he has more loyalty in his little finger than you have in your entire body.”

Desmond snarled quietly at me, and I knew I had made a mistake. I had gotten angry at the way he was speaking about Colson, but I shouldn’t have attacked his character—even if whatI’d said was true. But the words had already been spoken. I couldn’t take them back now.

Even if I could, I realized I wouldn’t. Every word I had said about Colson was true. He was an excellent leader to Pack Marsden. There had never been a time when he had put his own interests over those of his people. He always took care of them, and he was willing to risk his own life and happiness to keep them safe.

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